....DENVER (AP) — The governor of Colorado signed bills Wednesday that put sweeping new restrictions on sales of firearms and ammunition in a state with a pioneer tradition of gun ownership and self-reliance.

The bills thrust Colorado into the national spotlight as a potential test of how far the country might be willing to go with new gun restrictions after the horror of mass killings at an Aurora movie theater and a Connecticut elementary school.

The approval by Gov. John Hickenlooper came exactly eight months after dozens of people were shot at the theater, and the day after the executive director of the state Corrections Department was shot and killed at his home.

The bills require background checks for private and online gun sales and ban ammunition magazines that hold more than 15 rounds.

Two ballot measures have already been proposed to try to undo the restrictions.

At the signing ceremony, Hickenlooper was surrounded by lawmakers who sponsored the bills. He looked around with a solemn expression before signing a measure requiring buyers to pay fees for background checks.

Each time he signed a bill, applause erupted from lawmakers and their guests, who included Jane Dougherty, whose sister was killed in the attack at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn.; Sandy Phillips, whose daughter was killed in Aurora; and Tom Mauser, whose son was killed in the 1999 Columbine shooting in Colorado.

Phillips, who lost daughter Jessica Ghawi, reminded Hickenlooper that it was the eight-month anniversary of the theater rampage.

"You've given us a real gift today," she told the governor.

Later, Phillips added: "Thank you so much. You're leading the entire country."

Dougherty thanked Hickenlooper with tears in her eyes. Mauser also expressed gratitude.

"I knew it would be a long haul," he said. "But I had faith in the people of Colorado."

Democratic Rep. Rhonda Fields, who represents the district that includes the theater, said the governor had signed "common-sense legislation that reduces gun violence in our communities by keeping guns out of the hands of criminals, domestic violence offenders and the seriously mentally ill."

The shootings led Hickenlooper and other state Democrats to take on the issue of gun control. They succeeded while members of their party stumbled in other states.

Washington state's Democrat-controlled House failed this month to pass a universal background check bill. A bill requiring background checks at gun shows in New Mexico also stalled in that Democrat-led Legislature.

The measures signed by Hickenlooper were the centerpieces of a package of gun bills introduced this session in Colorado.

Under the laws, gun sales and transfers between private parties and purchases conducted online will be subjected to background checks. Ammunition magazines that hold more than 15 rounds will be banned and subject to criminal penalties. Both bills take effect July 1.

Lawmakers debated firearms proposals after the Columbine High School shooting, and began requiring background checks for buyers at gun shows. But nothing they did then was as sweeping as the proposals they took up this year.

Republicans have warned that voters will punish Hickenlooper and other Democrats who voted in favor of the measures.

"I'm telling you, they have overreached, and there are going to be electoral consequences," said Republican Sen. Greg Brophy.

Republicans have said limiting magazine sizes will drive jobs from the state, and ultimately won't prevent criminals from getting larger magazines in other states.

One Colorado-based manufacturer of ammunition magazines disclosed plans to relocate because of the new restrictions.

Some county sheriffs opposed the new background checks, arguing the move is unenforceable and endangers Second Amendment rights.

___

Associated Press Writer Kristen Wyatt contributed to this report.

May she rest in peace!!!!!:(

03-20-2013, 01:44 PM

Eric Johnson

After thinking about this a good bit, I think they should ban large multi-screen movie theaters such as that in Aurora. Far too many deaths at theaters of this type.

While they are at it, they also ought to investigate schools with cafeterias.

03-20-2013, 02:05 PM

Uncle Bill

Anyone that can't empathize with our friends that have lived in Colorado all their lives...like the Gooser...just aren't aware how easily your state can be taken over. For many years, that state's schools of higher education have been promoting leftists, and now they are the ones that have developed a constituancy of their classmates, and the many socialists that have moved into that state. Meanwhile, the Republicans have relinquished any positions they had in the state government, and now they find their state has been hijacked by these liberals. It's the ultimate Edmund Burkism: "All that's necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing."

UB

03-20-2013, 07:29 PM

Wade

Quote:

Originally Posted by road kill

The Colorado we all grew up with and dreamed of hunting in is gone.
May she rest in peace!!!!!:(

I'm not looking to start a gun debate. I only want to pay attention to end of your first sentence.

Based on what is written there regarding the "landmark gun bill is signed" can you give us a brief explanation as to why you will no longer be able to hunt in the state of Colorado?

03-20-2013, 10:24 PM

JDogger

Quote:

Originally Posted by road kill

The Colorado we all grew up with and dreamed of hunting in is gone.

May she rest in peace!!!!!:(

I thought you and Bon were hunting elk in CO later this year??? Is that off now?? JD

03-20-2013, 10:58 PM

FOM

It's a bad day in Colorado...this has nothing to do with hunting, this has to do with trampling 2nd amendment rights!

03-20-2013, 11:22 PM

BonMallari

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDogger

I thought you and Bon were hunting elk in CO later this year??? Is that off now?? JD

Stan and I have been planning an early season ARCHERY elk hunt for two years, but in light of the current change in Colorado's 2A legislation ,WE (will confer with Stan) will more than likely look for an alternative plan and hunt...the location of the hunt was not what was most important, the fact that we were going to hunt together was/is most important..We still have a North Dakota waterfowl/pheasant hunt on my friend's farm still on the table....I do think that Colorado will see the fallout from this legislation in the form of lower numbers of OOS hunters and sportsmen...I do not expect the Colorado FT circuit to be affected, because many including members here on the RTF are loyal to the clubs/venues and travel there regularly from out of state

03-21-2013, 10:31 AM

MooseGooser

h1 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:2 SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add part 3 to article
3 12 of title 18 as follows:
4 PART 3
5 LARGE-CAPACITY AMMUNITION MAGAZINES
6 18-12-301. Definitions. AS USED IN THIS PART 3, UNLESS THE7 CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES:
8 (1) "BUREAU" MEANS THE COLORADO BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION9 CREATED AND EXISTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 24-33.5-401, C.R.S.
10 (2) (a) "LARGE-CAPACITY MAGAZINE" MEANS A FIXED OR11 DETACHABLE MAGAZINE, BOX, DRUM, FEED STRIP, OR SIMILAR DEVICE12 CAPABLE OF ACCEPTING, OR THAT CAN BE READILY CONVERTED (Most all can) TO13 ACCEPT, MORE THAN FIFTEEN ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION OR MORE THAN14 EIGHT SHOTGUN SHELLS.
15 (b) "LARGE-CAPACITY MAGAZINE" DOES NOT MEAN:16 (I) A FEEDING DEVICE THAT HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY ALTERED SO-2- 1224
1 THAT IT CANNOT ACCOMMODATE MORE THAN FIFTEEN ROUNDS OF2 AMMUNITION; (So I can alter one and be legal? Who determines if it is permanent)3 (II) AN ATTACHED TUBULAR DEVICE DESIGNED TO ACCEPT, AND4 CAPABLE OF OPERATING ONLY WITH, .22 CALIBER RIMFIRE AMMUNITION;(See how stupid this shit is!! How many of you would like to be shot in the head 20 times with a .22 long rifle who’s bullets came outa that safe tubular magazine on that rifle??)5 OR6 (III) A TUBULAR MAGAZINE THAT IS CONTAINED IN A7 LEVER-ACTION FIREARM.
8 18-12-302. Large-capacity magazines prohibited - penalties -9 exceptions. (1) (a) EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, ON10 AND AFTER JULY 1,2013, A PERSON WHO SELLS, TRANSFERS, OR POSSESSES11 A LARGE-CAPACITY MAGAZINE COMMITS A CLASS 2 MISDEMEANOR.
12 (b) ANY PERSON WHO VIOLATES SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION13 AFTER HAVING BEEN CONVICTED OF A PRIOR VIOLATION OF SAID14 SUBSECTION (1) COMMITS A CLASS 1 MISDEMEANOR.
15 (c) ANY PERSON WHO VIOLATES SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION16 COMMITS A CLASS 6 FELONY IF THE PERSON POSSESSED A LARGE-CAPACITY17 MAGAZINE DURING THE COMMISSION OF A FELONY OR ANY CRIME OF18 VIOLENCE, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 18-1.3-406.19 (2) (a) A PERSON MAY POSSESS A LARGE-CAPACITY MAGAZINE IF20 HE OR SHE:
21 (I) OWNS THE LARGE-CAPACITY MAGAZINE ON THE EFFECTIVE22 DATE OF THIS SECTION; AND23 (II) MAINTAINS CONTINUOUS POSSESSION OF THE LARGE-CAPACITY24 MAGAZINE.
25 (b) IF A PERSON WHO IS ALLEGED TO HAVE VIOLATED SUBSECTION26 (1) OF THIS SECTION ASSERTS THAT HE OR SHE IS PERMITTED TO LEGALLY27 POSSESS A LARGE-CAPACITY MAGAZINE PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (a) OF-3- 1224THIS SUBSECTION (2), 1 THE PROSECUTION HAS THE BURDEN OF PROOF TO2 REFUTE THE ASSERTION.(So,, I can say I bought the magazine BEFORE the enactment date, and the burden of proof is on the state of Colorado to proove I didn’t. Our state feels they have the money and time to prosecute something like this? Really??? Read below, that only Magazines manufactured in Colorado will be required to be serialized and dated as to manufacture time frames.3 (3) THE OFFENSE DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION4 SHALL NOT APPLY TO:
5 (a) AN ENTITY, OR ANY EMPLOYEE THEREOF ENGAGED IN HIS OR6 HER EMPLOYMENT DUTIES, THAT MANUFACTURES LARGE-CAPACITY7 MAGAZINES WITHIN COLORADO EXCLUSIVELY FOR TRANSFER TO:
8 (I) A BRANCH OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES;
9 (II) A DEPARTMENT, AGENCY, OR POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE10 STATE OF COLORADO, OR OF ANY OTHER STATE, OR OF THE UNITED11 STATES GOVERNMENT;
12 (III) AFIREARMS RETAILER FOR THE PURPOSE OF FIREARMS SALES13 CONDUCTED OUTSIDE THE STATE;
14 (IV) A FOREIGN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT THAT HAS BEEN15 APPROVED FOR SUCH TRANSFERS BY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT;
16 OR17 (V) AN OUT-OF-STATE TRANSFEREE WHO MAY LEGALLY POSSESS18 A LARGE-CAPACITY MAGAZINE; OR19 (b) AN EMPLOYEE OF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING AGENCIES WHO20 BEARS A FIREARM IN THE COURSE OF HIS OR HER OFFICIAL DUTIES:
21 (I) ABRANCH OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES; OR22 (II) A DEPARTMENT, AGENCY, OR POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE23 STATE OF COLORADO, OR OF ANY OTHER STATE, OR OF THE UNITED24 STATES GOVERNMENT; OR25 (c) A PERSON WHO POSSESSES THE MAGAZINE FOR THE SOLE26 PURPOSE OF TRANSPORTING THE MAGAZINE TO AN OUT-OF-STATE ENTITY27 ON BEHALF OF AN ENTITY DESCRIBED BY THIS SUBSECTION (3).
-4- 1224 (Of COURSE!!!! All the government Goons)So, Mr. Govenor Hickenlooper, Mr. State Senator Bennet, Mr state senator Udal, Miss Diana Degette, Your personal body guards will protect YOU with those evil high capacity magazines wont they… Hypocrisy at its finest

03-21-2013, 10:34 AM

MooseGooser

Continued!!

1 18-12-303. Identification markings for large-capacity2 magazines - rules. (1) A LARGE-CAPACITY MAGAZINE THAT IS
3 MANUFACTURED IN COLORADO ON OR AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS
4 SECTION MUST INCLUDE A SERIAL NUMBER AND THE DATE UPON WHICH
5 THE LARGE-CAPACITY MAGAZINE WAS MANUFACTURED OR ASSEMBLED.
6 THE SERIAL NUMBER AND DATE MUST BE LEGIBLY AND CONSPICUOUSLY
7 ENGRAVED OR CAST UPON THE OUTER SURFACE OF THE LARGE-CAPACITY
8 MAGAZINE. (Just the magazines MANUFACTURED in COLORADO, so if I buy my magazine from Springfield armory in another state while visiting, and bring it back with me, those markings don’t need to be in place.? And If I bring it back across state lines, but take it out of the new packaging at the border, all I have to do is say I owned it before the effective date of the ban,, and it’s the states responsibility to proove I didn’t. How the hell will they be able to do this??)9 (2) THE BUREAU MAY PROMULGATE SUCH RULES AS MAY BE10 NECESSARY FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS SECTION, INCLUDING BUT11 NOT LIMITED TO RULES REQUIRING A LARGE-CAPACITY MAGAZINE THAT IS12 MANUFACTURED ON OR AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION TO13 BEAR IDENTIFYING INFORMATION IN ADDITION TO THE IDENTIFYING14 INFORMATION DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION.
15 (3) A PERSON WHO MANUFACTURES A LARGE-CAPACITY MAGAZINE16 IN COLORADO IN VIOLATION OF SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION COMMITS17 A CLASS 2 MISDEMEANOR AND SHALL BE PUNISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH18 SECTION 18-1.3-501.
19 SECTION 2. Effective date. This act takes effect July 1, 2013.
20 SECTION 3. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds,
21 determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
22 preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.

03-21-2013, 10:37 AM

huntinman

Gooser, next they will pass a law to come in your house to inventory your collection.